The characters from Bollywood films who deserved better include Aman from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998), Veronica from Cocktail (2012), Laurent from English Vinglish (2012), Sanjay Singhania from Ghajini (2008), Meghna from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008), Saba from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) and Zooni from Fanaa (2006).
Bollywood loves a happy ending, but it does not hand one to everybody. In many hit films, the side character who loved most honestly ends up with the least. Fans still argue about these seven, years after the films released. Here is who they are, why they deserved better, and where to watch each film in India right now.
Quick list: films and where to stream them
| Character | Film (year) | Streaming in India (JustWatch, 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Aman (Salman Khan) | Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998) | Netflix, Prime Video |
| Veronica (Deepika Padukone) | Cocktail (2012) | Vi Movies and TV, Eros Now Select on Apple TV |
| Laurent (Mehdi Nebbou) | English Vinglish (2012) | Eros Now Select on Apple TV, ZEE5 |
| Sanjay Singhania (Aamir Khan) | Ghajini (2008) | Prime Video, Sun NXT |
| Meghna (Manjari Fadnnis) | Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008) | Not streaming in India right now |
| Saba (Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) | Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016) | Netflix, Prime Video |
| Zooni (Kajol) | Fanaa (2006) | Netflix |
7 characters from Bollywood films who deserved a better ending
1. Aman from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998)
Karan Johar’s debut film is remembered for Rahul (Shah Rukh Khan) and Anjali (Kajol). But many viewers who rewatch it today side with Aman, played by Salman Khan. He loves Anjali sincerely and treats her with respect from the first scene.
At the wedding, Aman sees that Anjali still loves Rahul. He calls off the marriage himself and tells her to marry Rahul instead. It is a generous act, and the film gives him nothing in return except a smile and an exit.
2. Veronica from Cocktail (2012)
In Homi Adajania’s film, Deepika Padukone plays Veronica, an adventurous woman who befriends Meera (Diana Penty). Veronica is soft-hearted and genuinely tries to revive Meera’s will to live.
When Gautam (Saif Ali Khan) chooses Meera, Veronica tries to change herself to become more like her. Our original piece called the storyline misogynistic, and that criticism still holds. The film rewards the “settled” woman and asks the adventurous one to reform. Deepika’s performance is a big reason the character is still discussed.
3. Laurent from English Vinglish (2012)
Gauri Shinde’s film stars Sridevi as Shashi Godbole, whose family often treats her as an afterthought. Along the way she meets Laurent, played by Mehdi Nebbou, who admires her exactly as she is.
Shashi’s choice to return to her family is the right one for her character, and the film handles it with grace. Still, Laurent was the one person who saw her flaws and loved them. He deserved at least a warmer goodbye.
4. Sanjay Singhania from Ghajini (2008)
A.R. Murugadoss directed Aamir Khan as Sanjay Singhania, who falls in love with Kalpana (Asin) without telling her who he really is.
He never gets the chance to tell her the truth, and he has to live with that regret. Ghajini is loved for its action, but Sanjay’s love story is one of Bollywood’s saddest.
5. Meghna from Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na (2008)
Abbas Tyrewala’s college romance pairs Jai (Imran Khan) and Aditi (Genelia D’Souza), the best friends everyone knows will end up together. Meghna, played by Manjari Fadnnis, is Jai’s sweet and sincere girlfriend in the middle of all this.
Aditi and Jai belong together, and the film makes that clear. But Meghna is treated as a stop on Jai’s way to the truth. She is hurt because of his insecurity, not because of anything she did.
6. Saba from Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (2016)
In Karan Johar’s film, Ranbir Kapoor’s Ayan meets Saba, a poet played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, while he is heartbroken over Alizeh (Anushka Sharma). Saba is mature, honest and openly lonely.
She lets Ayan in, and he leaves her when Alizeh returns to his life. Saba walks away with dignity, knowing love cannot be forced. She has the film’s best lines and one of its saddest arcs.
7. Zooni from Fanaa (2006)
Kunal Kohli’s Fanaa stars Kajol as Zooni Ali Beg, a blind Kashmiri girl who falls for Rehan (Aamir Khan), a charming tour guide. Rishi Kapoor and Kirron Kher play her parents, and Tabu also appears.
Rehan is not what he seems, and Zooni’s love is built on his lies. She gives him complete trust and gets heartbreak in return. Kajol’s performance makes it hurt even more.
Why these endings still divide fans
Most of these films were big hits, and their main couples are loved. The debate is about the people left behind. Aman, Veronica, Meghna and Saba each lose out despite doing nothing wrong, which is why fans keep returning to them in rewatch threads and reels.
For more on these films and stars, browse our Bollywood section, our listicles and the latest in movies.
Frequently asked questions
Which Bollywood character deserved a better ending?
Aman from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is the most common answer. He calls off his own wedding so Anjali can marry Rahul and gets no happy ending of his own.
Who played Aman in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai?
Salman Khan played Aman Mehra in Karan Johar’s 1998 film, alongside Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukerji.
Where can I watch Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na?
JustWatch India shows it is not streaming in India right now. It was on Netflix from April 2021 to April 2024.
Who played Laurent in English Vinglish?
Mehdi Nebbou played Laurent, the classmate who admires Sridevi’s Shashi in the 2012 film.
Sources: Wikipedia: Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, JustWatch India: Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, JustWatch India: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil.
